Defense lifts Lions to 40-9 win over Patriots

DETROIT — Even without Calvin Johnson in the lineup, the Detroit Lions offense should have more of a rhythm this late in the preseason.

The starters played the first half against the New England Patriots on Thursday night in a 40-9 win at Ford Field. The Lions are 2-1 in the preseason.

It’s hard to judge in the preseason, but Matthew Stafford connected on less than half of his attempts (12 of 25). He finished with 166 yards and a touchdown, no interceptions.

It was the second straight game without Johnson (bruised knee) and it completely changes the offense. Also the Lions aren’t showing much of their offense. Still perhaps they were looking to find more of a flow on Thursday.

The Lions had to settle for field goals or attempts three times when they were in the red zone — twice at Patriots’ 13 and once at the 5-yard line.

Reggie Bush was the go-to guy with five catches for 103 yards and six rushes for one yard.

“(We did) good things and still we need to be able to convert more,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said at the half. “Defense has done a good job getting turnovers, but we can still play a lot better than that.’’

The Lions would not have held the 16-3 half-time lead without the four turnovers created by the defense.

The first was a fumble forced by Glover Quin and recovered by Louis Delmas on the Patriot’s first possession. However, an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Nick Fairley cost seven yards.

The Lions took over on their own five and drove 90 yards downfield where they had to settle for a field goal.

On the Patriots’ third possession, DeAndre Levy forced a fumble that was recovered by Jason Jones. A personal foul on Detroit’s C.J. Mosley cost the Lions nine yards.

Then Tom Brady was intercepted by Chris Houston on New England’s next possession giving the Lions the ball at the Patriots’ 37.

A touchdown pass from Stafford up the middle to Tony Scheffler was the Lions’ starting offense’s first touchdown of the preseason. It gave the Lions a 10-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, Bill Bentley forced a fumble when Shane Vereen was carrying the ball. Ezekiel Ansah recovered and on the next possession, David Akers kicked a 31-yard field goal to give Lions a 13-3 lead.

Akers missed a 31-yard field goal and was booed loudly but redeemed himself with a 49-yarder to give Lions 16-3 half-time lead.

Kellen Moore started second half as quarterback. On his first drive he connected with rookie tight end Joe Fauria on a 22-yard touchdown pass to boost the lead to 23-3. He also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Micheal Spurlock.